Security gains in Iraq may lead to violence, intelligence agencies say

Intelligence agencies are warning that security gains in Iraq could degenerate into sectarian violence, Reuters reports. Some officials believe that the U.S. has very little leverage in Iraq, even after a nine-year occupation.

House of Representatives intelligence committee chairman Mike Rogers says the troop pullout will reduce U.S. influence. He says a chaotic Iraq plays into Iran’s desire for increased influence in that region.

The main tool the United States has now in Iraq is diplomatic pressure. But, Rogers says even that has been watered down with the lack of military presence.

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Tom Temin is the host of The Federal Drive, which airs from 6-9 a.m. on 1500 AM in the Washington, DC region and online everywhere. Tom has 30 years experience in journalism, mostly in technology markets. Before coming to Federal News Radio, he was a long-serving editor-in-chief of Government Computer News and Washington Technology magazines.